davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1887-03-02
The Work of a Moment,

Did you ever write q letter, and just
as you were finishing it, let your pen fall
on it, or Il drop of ink blot the fair pager
1t was the work of a moment, but the
evil could not be circctualy cffaccd.
Did you never cut yourself Unexpectedly
and quickly? 1t took days or weeks to
heal the wound and even then a scar re-
maincd. 1t is related OF Lord Brough-
man, celebrated English ncblcman,
that one day he occupied conspicuous
place in group to have his dagucrrco
type taken. But at an unfortunate mo-
ment he moved. The picture was taken,
but his fac, was blurred. Do you ask
what application would he make of
these factsl Just this: 1t takes II life
time to build character, it only takes
moment to destroy 1t. "Watch and
pray" therefore, "that yc enter not into
temptation.' Let him that thnketh he
standcth take heed lest he fall.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1887-03-02
An Oregon Sand Storm

Trains on the Northern Pac fic rail
road were recently detained between
Willows and Alkali, Ore, by sand
storm. The wind blew so hard that the
locomotive headlight and lights in Ian
terms carried by tho train hands were
cxtinguishcd, and sand driftcd upon tho
tracks faster than it could be shoveled
off. The only way the trains got through
was by shovelIing the sand from
the track and pushing ahead
foot by foot the sand closing in behind
the cars as fast MS they were moved on.
--[New York Sun.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1887-03-02
Splitting a Hurricane.

A hero of Of an Overture tale in tire
Fairfield NIe.) Journal succeeded in
splitting hurricane. Seeing it CON-
ing straight towards his barn, he took
two boards and holding them with his
best hold, before the barn, the ends to-
gether in front of him so that they
formed sort of wedge, he sprcal tho
hurricane apart, so that it only took of
two corners of the barn. For prescrv-
ing barns or serving yarns, there's moth.
ing like ingenuity. Il Boston Traveller.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1887-03-02
Misunderstood.

A very deaf Boston man has charm
ing wife and a cross dog. Tho other
morning friend met him and said:
Good morning, Mr.. Blank. Your wife
made very pleasant call on us last
evening" 'l'm very sorry" was the
startling answer of the deaf citizen. 'rll
sec that it doesn't occur again. I'm 60
Ing to chain her up after this"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1887-03-02
Sunset.


A ball Of fire suspended
Low DER molten sea;
Infinite glory blended
Lost in eternity.
A vivid crimson paling,
With penclings of gold;
A white cloud outward sailing
Foam billows, fold on fold,
A quivering, raiiant RAPTURE;
Red torches flaming high;
A thousand waves that capture
Pale rose tints from the sky.
A lesser glory bleniing
With blue, more family blue;
A rosy light ascending
To pierce all distance through,
Commingling tints grow fainter;
A dim fire burning low
All, never skill of painter
Can mix the colors So
A mel'owed beauty lingers;l
a curtain, pearly gray,
Is drawn by unseen fingers
Across the face Of day.
Gone the respondent wonder;
Gods glory rassed away,
We stand the gray sky under,
Beside a sea of gray.
And sigh because lfe's story,
Like sunsets nectng kiss,
Tells tales of transient glory,
Lost rapture, vanished bliss.
--[Brooklyn Magazine,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1887-03-02

A professional pam st says person
can never tell a lie with lis hand shut.
We know people who can tell lie with
both hands shut and ticl behind their
backs,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1887-03-02
WHOLE NO. 2257.
THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN.
Treatment of Warts

A plaster of black soup applied each
night for fortnight, according to NJ.
Vidal, will soften a wart so that it may
be scraped off. The treatment by NJ,
Cellcr is to transfix the principal wart
with the point Of a pin, the head of
which is then to be held in the flame Of
a candle until the wart is destroyed; it
will drop off in few days. Tho re-
naming warts will then usually disap-
pear.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1887-03-02
Hard Luck,

"You say you have met with hard
luck" she qucricd of the tramp who
stood on the doorstep.
eyes, in 'ecd--vcry hard"
"What was itln
"Why, ma'am, | invested my last So
in lottery ticket and never drew q
blessed prize. All! If you rich people
only knew the misfortunes of the poor ~
- Free Press.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1887-03-02
CIIILDREN'S COLUMN.
Rules for Letter-writing.

Rules for Letter-Writing.
Have you any unkind thoughts'
Do not write them down;
Write no word that give.h pain,
Written words may long remain.
Have you heard some idle talel
Do not write it down.
Gossips may repeat it DER, 2
Adding to its bitter store. q
Have you any careless jest'
Bury it and let it roIt,
1t may wound some loving breast.
Words Of love AMI tenderness,
Words of truth and kndliness,
Words Of comfort for the sad,
Words of gladncss for the glad,
Words of counsel for the bad,
Wisely write them down.
Words, though small, are Mighty things,
Pause before you write them.
Little words may grow and bloom
With bitter breath or sweet perfume,
Pay before you write them.
[Pansy.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01

keyhole. The door vas eanfiBnsiy on
ened and food Of light iilled the cor
ridor. The Empress stepped within ths
room, followed By her guards. who
placed themselves sarUand her. The
room was brilliantly Illuminated bus
empty. On the throne was seated !
shape, the counterpart Of Ellnabeth, Ar
rayed In purple and ermine, covered
with diamonds. and crowned via the
royal diadem. One instant Rlizabeth
gazed steadfastly at her double. then
moved forward q few steps. Simnltan-
eonsly the appaFiti0n stood M. stepped
down from the throne. md thsn ~
mainsd standing as lnlEuDFahlr saill
As the Empress.
Il was thrilling naomsnt
s'Firer cried the Empress.
The guards raised fhslr euns and al
six aimed directly e i6s'r Ehosfly yisi-
tant The triggers aI6rf1d Al the
same instant the iie.I7t einpped Is
hands together. and u nam VS. sud.
denly plunged into intense darkness.
Then followed . great eommoticn and
confusion, while the Empress called:
"Bring lights"
Lights were speedily prodacsd and
each corner was thoroughly searched,
but absolutely nothing could be found
to elucidate the mystery. Every door
was locked and guarded The guards
had seen no one leave the palace. The
Empress ordered y more thorough
search To be made, but In vain were al
efforts made to discover the perpetrator
OF the trick. il trick Il were.
The occurrence made q deeper Inn
preston upon Elizabeth than she would
admit Eight weeks afteFwArd she
died. = Translated from TIE 6e1aaR tov
the San Francisco Cali
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01
Ancient Cloths.

A carpet merchant in Vienna has =
curious collection of ancient wooden
and linen cloths, including more than
three hundred specimens. Many Of
them have been taken from tombs, and
are stretched on folios Of cardboard to
preserve them. Some of the fragments
are only foot square, but the larger
ones make up an entire Roman stoga,
which Is said to be the only one in the
world. There are great many en-
broidered dresses and deal of knitting
and crewel-work, double-chain stitch
seems to have been as familiar to the
Egyptian seamstresses, sewing with
bone needles, as 1t is to modern women.
There are some very quaint and un-
usual designs in the old collection OF
cloths, but there are also some very
common things. It is curious to find
that the common blue check pattern Of
our busters and work-house aprons
was In general use among the Egyp-
tians more than q thousand years ago.
DRY Goods CAr0nicle.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01
An Amazed Tra0kman.

A Rockland truckman hitched bis
horse to baggage car standing on the
side-track at the upper depot while he
loaded his jigger with heading. An
engine hitched on to the ear and start
ed of up the track. The man came
along with an armful OF heading TO put
on his jigger. He got there Just In
time 10 see his turnout striking up the
track as IL the baggage car was loaded
with oats. The teamster, by some re-
cord-breaking running reached the in
voluntary rnnawayin time to sever the
connection and save the neck Of his
steed. He says the next time he
bitches his horse to car he'll hitch
the car too.-RockiaRd (Me.D Courier
Gazette.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01
water Power at s.. Augustine.

The artesian well which Daniel Dull
Of this city is putting down at the
Ponce de Leon hotel, St Augustine,
Fla, has now reached depth Of 1, no
feet, and flows at the astonishing rate
Of 1000 gallons a minute. The solid
column Of water, a foot in diameter,
rises to the height of about four feet
supported by its own strength. This
indicates pressure of twenty pounds
to Che square inch, sufficient power
10 drive almost any kind or amount Of
machinery. When the well was only
$40 feet deep 1t flowed at the rate Of
5000 gallons per minute. Whence
this vast water power comes is mys-
terry, as there are no outlying hills
about, and st. Augustine is on q sandy
plain on the level Of the sea. The peo-
pie OF the neighborhood are greatly
agitated over the discovery Of this vast
reservoir of water power, and enter
tain sanguine hopes that It win devel-
op into something Of great value to the
country.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01
Tobos. or No. Tobes-shakspssrs on
Ice.

Tobog, or not tobog, that b the Questioni
whether It's wiser In q man % shuffle
Ger slides aud siip-ups OF uneieaned side.
walks,
Or TO take sled against a hin Of ice, sir.
And By scoot-down, get therei 10 slide; q
To soar and. by that slip, 70 reach the end,
The Eind-up, and the thousand bruisins
That iesh Is heir to-'tis q eOmbustication
Devoutly % be dishedl 10 aide; 20 slip;
To slipl Perchance 10 mop; aye, there's the
Dor in that slip down hEh what scrApes may
When We have soratshsd mp all this mortal
And skinned our paws; there's the respect
That makes calamity OF that long slide;
FOR who would bear the cuts and smarte OF
coasts;
The steerer's wrong. the starters stupidity.
TIE plngs OF oertnrned loads, the crushed-up
The twenty Ave cents out, and the smarts
That patient merit bears when sweet girls
when he himself might his Quietns take
Oh tobogganf Who would ride q sled
10 scoot and gasp under hoFse-blanket
But that the dread OF not being fashionable
That awful bette notre. from whose frown
No tObOeRaner returns-masters the hill,
And makes ne rather take the ms We fear,
Than fy In haste from the tobOgRan slidel
Sun and Voice.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01
HOUSE PLANTS AND WATER.

Strange IS Il may seem, water Is one
Of the greatest obstacles to the success.
ful culture Of window plants, in giving
too much as well as in giving too little.
Plants want water In just the right
amount. What Is the right amount
can be learned by filling pot with
coil 10 within an inch Of It's top. Pour
on water, and when what win has
drained on and IL no longer drips, the
soil win contain just the right quantity
Of water. But all soils viii not let the
excess Of water drain of thus; when
filed with water. they hold it and re-
main as mud, in which no plant, save
an aquatic, can grow. II It Is inferred
that such an impervious soil can be
made into q porous one by adding 9
sufficient quantity Of sand, good con-
clusion win have been reached. A
close soil may be made . porous one
by adding sufficient sand. The writer
was once called upon 10 inspect some
window plants that were growing In
the wrong direction, Ia spite Of careful
watering. We found 9 large plant
stand In which was q collection Of
plants, In porcelain and other imperyi-
Gus pots. each Of them filed with
liquid mud. The owner. though q
fairly Intelligent man. was astonished
TO learn that It was possible to water
too much, and that he wAs killing his
plants with kindness. Pots with
ample drainage, aud . soil made porous
with sufficient sand. win prsssat the
sEia of tao mncA wafer, SIN, plants
NaV salsr isazA . laek q wsAsEs IA
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01

Sixty years ago Robin and Allen
WILDER, Of Hartford, Ind, agreed that
thereafter they would have all prop
erty and business in common. This
life partnership has never been dis
solved; indeed, it Is said that the broth
ers have never had the slightest mis-
understanding, and to-day they are
rich and highly esteemed by all who
know them. Their property Is abso-
lutely the property Of both, they never
give any but joint notes, they never
contract u delft that is not equally
binding upon each, and they are rare
examples Of happiness and prosperity.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01

belt Il has the advantage over cork Of
warming the wearer while in water.
He attributes great value to suits made
from the reindeer hair. one Of which Of
the weight Of pound may keep man
from drowning. while u furnisliss
greater protection from cold than oil
skin and other materials.
Some curious facts present them
selves In looking into the relation Of
the United States 70 the British imports
Of live stock. For instance. out Of 21e,-
$40 beef cattle imported In the first tan
months Of last year we furnished l02.-
4O5; out Of 1857 COWS. I56; out Of
$3.50 calves, 3; out Of 902, $50, sheep
and lambs. $3.50; out Of 20. 566 swine.
none. We lead all other countries In
our exports to England Of salt and
fresh bed, salt pork, hams, and meats
preserved otherwise than by sailing.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01

A story comes TO us well authenti-
Gated about one of our old-time citi-
zens, living at Derby Neck, who has
for years been afflicted with asthma 50
as at times to render life very miser.
able. For the last two or three months
he has been especially under the rod Of
affliction from this cause. One recent
day q lady visitor from an adjacent
town told Of friend who had been
cured by standing against q board par
tition and having hole bored therein
at the patients exact height and into
which q portion Of the hair Of the head
vas plugged and then cut Of A few
days afterward a son Of the gentleman
referred TO. thinking there might be
something In It, persuaded his father
10 take his position against q partition
for q trial Of the .'cure, all the condi-
lions of which were faithfully complied
with. That night the old gentleman.
who Is a prominent member Of the
Methodist church, says that he slept
quietly for the first time ia q long
while. and In two days and TO date
found himself apparently cured.--An-
soGsia (C0na ScafiMei.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01


The Troy LaHndry Josrnal gives tn
following direetiOns = 20 how 20 MAKE
and use laundry starch:
For general work, ten ounces d
wheat and six ounces Of corn-starch "a
every gallon Of water Il found to give
excellent satisfaction. Zone ounce d
about one heaping tablespoonfuI) The
starch when thoroughly dissolved In
water Il poured into the kettle con
sainfng the requisite an1ount Of wateI
and actively stirred until the whole d
bFOaght % The boiling point. and therE
g Il maintained from forty mfnufes d
an hour. Starching consists Of three
operations, !. e., forcing the starch In
20 the several layers Of fabric. re
moving the wrinkles, and finally
wiping OF all supeEfiuoas starch from
the surface: The starcher spreads the
work ON the table, covers It with
starch, and rubs Il quickly to and fro
with the palm and fingers Of the right
hand, the left hand resting on the
right, and the weight Of the body be
ing thrown upon the arms. At the
same time with the aid Of her finger
nails she dexterously moves the wrink-
les about until they entirely disappear.
II shirts are being starched, q dozen
or more are rubbed Oh the wrong side,
then finished on the right; II collars or
cuffs, they are piled until several
dozen have accumulated. when the
s'wiping on" takes place
We have found very satisfactory re-
suits from the following method: For
. quart of starch when made, take a
little over q tablespoonful Of raw
starch, dissolve It In water, add q
single drop Of blue, and then pour on
boiling water, stirring 1t until it boils.
Let 1t boil fifteen or twenty minutes,
then add Tablespoonful Of kero-
sene and stir we'll Into the boiling
starch put collars and cuffs, and from
Il wiring bosOms and wristbands, rub
bling il well and smoothly in. When
the starched clothes are dry, dip them
into solution made by dissolving a
heaping teaspoonful Of raw starch in a
quart of lukewarm water, with half
teaspoonful of pulveriZed borax added,
and roll them, tightly. the collars and
cuffs in towels. Let them lie an hour
or 30 and then iron. Il may be well
% lay an old handkerchief over the
bosoms and pass the iron over II, be-
fore putting the iron directly on the
linen. Have aelean linen or cotton
rag and . bowl Of clean water at hand,
and with these remove any specks or
smirches that may happen to. come.
Have the iron perfectly clean and the
holder also, and the ironing-sheet II
the iron is not perfectly smooth rub IL
on q bit Of waved paper or q lamp-rag,
and then on Q clean cloth. Have
towels ready 10 iron to cool the fat
iron with II IL is too hot 70 put upon
che Hnen. A little expesimanting win
soon put any one into the possession Of
the ability to starch and iron nicely.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01
Don,t Experimenf.

YOu cannot afford TO waste time In
experimenting when your lungs are In
danger. Consumption Away seems &C
hrsts only . cold, Do not permit any
dealer TO impose upon you with some
cheap imiteliun of DR.. Kings New Die
eoveky iof Consumption, Coughs and
Colds, bat behnEe you get the genuine.
because he pm make more profit be
may tell you he has something Just &c
good or just the same. Don't be de-
ceived, but insist upon getting DR..
Kings New Discovery, which Il g0aran-
teed 10 give relief in all Throat Inns.
and Chest aGection6. Trial hottlea re-
- ]. =. Jonanp Dgea G>oso.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01

Cut into eight portions 9 loaf q
bread two days old; must neither be
newer nor staler. With one Of fheae
pieces, after having blown OF al The
dust from the paper TO be cleaned by
means Of Q good pair Of bellows, begin
It The top Of the room, holding ths
crust In the hand, and wiping hRhf1y
downward with the crumb, about hah
yard ct each stroke until the uuper
part Of the paper Is completely clean
cd al around. Then, 90 round
again, with the Ike sweeping stroke
downward, always commencing each
successive stroke little higher than
the upper stroke had extended TIL the
bottom be finished. This operation, n
carefully performed, win frequently
make very old paper look almost equal
to'nsw. Great caution must b usoA
not By any means to rub ths. paDsy
hard, nor 20 attempt cleaning IN. slls
cross or horizontal way. The dirty
part Of the bread, too, must be CON.
tinually cut away, and the pieces re-
newed - may become necessary. To
take grease stains out Of wallpaper.
mix pipe clay with water to the con-
sistency Of cream, laying il on the spot,
and letting It remain tn The following
day, when ft may be easily removed
with q penknife or brush.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01
RAa-sIK PoRTrEREs.

/ saw the other day, says lady In
the RsIrai Yorker, at Q friends house q
pair Of silk p0rtieres, that were very
handsome indeed, and was surprised TO
learn that they were the handiwork Of
my friends two little daughters aged
~ and IA years. Scraps Of silk, old
and new, soiled and fresh, were the
only materials used. Old crayats,
sashes, ribbons, waists Of dresses,
Innings Of gentlemen's coat-sleeves, old
umbrella and parasol covers, even the
silk hat-linings from the crowns of
gentlemen's hats had been pressed into
service. Pieces an inch long may be
used. provided the maker has patience
enough to sew them together. II is
necessary to cut the pieces into strips
about half an inch wide; sew these To-
gether strongly and roll into balls.
Do not sew with seam, but lap the
strips to make the work fat Keep
each color and shade by itself wherever
you have any amount Of = kind, and
tumble all the little bits together in q
ball by themselves. II you have .
quantity Of old white or light silk and
ribbon much soiled they can be dyed
with diamond dye at home. Cut and
sew and wind into hank or skein;
wash in soapsads. rinse well, and fol-
low the directions that accompany each
package. r1. aaf asif5 ,.s
1t win require pound and half Of
silk for every yard Of knitted or
Croeheted stuff. Use Q large bone
crOchet-hook and set up chain the
width Of the desired portiere, and
crochet back and forth In Q plain
crochet-stitch without throwing the
strip over the needle. The coloring Of
q Roman scarf is an excellent guide In
the weaving Of silk rags, and with
large spaces Of black and light blue,
and narrow ones Of old gold. the effect
Is very rich. They should be hung on
rings from pole and do not require
any fullness. The silk .'rag-carpet"
also makes very durable furniture
covering, and shabby sofa or chair
can be recovered elegantly Il you have
skillful fingers.
A handsome chair-covering or rug
can be made from old silk, and silk
and Isle hose. These accumulate
faster than one would suppose In
large family, and can be cut into such
long strips that the work Is very much
more quickly done.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01

A woman in Harrison, N. j., recent
ly gave birth to child having an ear
shaped like that of horse. IL il the
LETT ear and Is nearly two and half
inches long, aud Is covered with short
reddish hair. The nalformation Is at
.ributcd TO the fact that the moth-
Ter was frightened by horss some
time before giving birth to the child.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01

window gardener finding that the snr-
face Of the soil In the pots looks
moist, infers that no more water Il
needed and gives none. hence the plants
suffer The cause Of this trouble Il The
same as that Of overwhelming; an I'M
pervious soil prevents the passage II
water through IT, Water IL given, but
Il wets only slight layer It the sur.
face, Il cannot pass downward and the
roots may be suffering and dry, while
the surface looks well The remedy,
e n the other case. Is an open soil
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01

HAT can i've at nome, ana MAKO more
VII lmoneY at work for US, than at anything
Iullelee In this world. Capital not needed;
you are started free. Both soxes; all
ages. Amy one can do the work. Large earn
ings sure from first start. Costly outft and
terms free. Better not delay. Costs you
nothing 20 send us your address and ind ont;
II ron are wise YOU will do % a. once. H.
HILL.R1z q o., Portland, Maine. s1yTa
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01

The leading dentist in St Petersburg
Is an American. who has all the pull
ling and filing he can attend g.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01

There are eighteen thousand opera
|tives engaged in the shirt, cutf. and
collar trade Of Troy, N. T., and the
amount Ut their wages for year
lazDOants 10 nearly 50 .e0o. Oo0 Ia
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
Direstisns Tor AG.kiag ana Usaag KAnaAFJ
BtAreA-zEAadsokns Eems- aande 0flk ~
LAuNDRY srARcH.

Obstacles 60 tie speesssesl CaltaEs e wia,
dow Piants-How 70 Cisaa wall
Paper.